Ordering number: 22618
Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signature: Rai Kunitoshi
Koto: Owazamono: Saijyosaku: Yamashiro
Sayagaki by Mr. Kunzan(translation): Written on the 3rd of October, Showa 40. At the house of Dr. Walter Ames Compton. Made by Rai Kunitoshi. The length is 7 Sun 6 Bu.
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo-jyo saku ranking.
Habaki: Gold foiled double Habaki
The blade is polished.
Blade length:23.0cm or 9.05inches.
Sori: Inside warp
Mekugi:2
Width at the hamachi:1.99cm or 0.78inches.
Kasane:0.50cm or 0.19inches.
The weight of the sword:105grams
Era: The Shoan era, the Kamakura period. Around 1299.
Shape: The blade is normally broad and thick with Mitsumune shape. Elegant shape.
Jigane: Koitamehada with Mokumehada. Very dense Jigane with lots of Utsuri.
Hamon: Koniedeki Suguha with slightly deep Nioikuchi. The tip turns back in a small circle.
Special feature: This work is one of the collection of Dr. Walter Ames Compton. Mr. Kunzan once visited Dr. Compton’s house and wrote Sayagaki on Shirasaya.
Koshirae:
Saya: Kin-Nashiji Saya. Family crests are engraved with gold color.
Kozuka: Shakudo plate. Reindeer is engraved with gold color.
Kogatana: Small characters are engraved.
Menuki: Silver plate. Family crests are engraved.
From Aoi Art: Kunitoshi is said to be the son of Rai Kuniyuki. It is uncertain whether 2-character Kunitoshi and Rai Kunitoshi are identical. One theory says that Kuniyoshi kept on making swords for around 40 years, from Koan 1 to Gentei 1, alone. It is pretty
understandable that this theory is true. However, styles of these two swordsmiths completely different. 2-character Kunitoshi are good at making powerful and large shape with elegant Chojiba-Midare. And Rai Kunitoshi was good at making normal and beautiful shape. Moreover, 2-character Kunitoshi made only one Tanto, but Rai Kunitoshi made a lot. This Tanto has inside warp, the shape is normal. Itame and Mokume are thin and small with lots of Utsuri. Hamon is Suguha with deep Nioikuchi and lots of Koashi: well-made. It had been preserved carefully as Daimyo collection. We truly recommend this to you.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token paper
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata by Ayaka Tsuruta
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